Words from the Alsherjargothi

October 1, 2018

Fallfest III was truly amazing! Gothar Coordinator Blaine Qualls and Folkbuilder Jason Gallagher hosted an absolutely wonderful event. Fallfest has become one of the highlights of the year and one that Mandy and I always look forward to. Thank you so much to our entire Northern Plains AFA family for all their hard work and overwhelming hospitality!

We started off this fall right with Fallfest and we are keeping that momentum rolling as we prepare for Winter Nights in the Poconos. Winter Nights is always a powerful event and the setting is stunningly beautiful. I look forward to seeing all of you there as we honor our Gods and the Disir in Pennsylvania this month.

This month we take time to honor the Disir as the veil between the world of the living and the land of the dead becomes thin. The Disir are those sacred mothers of our folk that watch over us in death with the same love and care that they showed us when they were here with us in the flesh. In the dark nights of fall and winter our ancestors are close to us and our families, they look on. Let us take the time to acknowledge the ancestors, welcoming them in, remembering them, speaking their names with love and respect. I wish you all a magical Winter Nights and I hope to see you all in Pennsylvania as we honor our Disir.